Island Views Apartments Palm Cove

How lucky am I……I live just ten minutes drive from Palm Cove and at every opportunity I try to visit, even if its just for a coffee, lunch or dinner for two in one of the many fabulous restaurants on the esplanade.

Last weekend hubby and I decided to spend a long weekend at Palm Cove. I must admit it was great packing the bag and within ten minutes we had reached our destination. But no matter how far you are from Palm Cove the moment you arrive you feel relaxed and in no time at all you are in holiday mode. Its just great to see couples walking hand- in- hand along the esplanade, kids playing on the beach and families spending quality time together.

We were fortunate to stay at Island View Apartments and I can only say WOW – the apartments are amazing. As we entered we walked through the “media” lounge furnished with a huge LCD television with surround system, stocked with dvd’s and board games for all the family. The kitchen is to die for and has everything for the fussiest entertainer. The lounge with its comfortable leather sofas opens out to my favourite place of all…the verandah. It is here that we spent most of our time. It was hard to drag ourselves away from relaxing on the verandah just soaking up the incredible ocean views. Each of the apartments at Island View overlooks Palm Cove beach with its swaying palm trees and takes in the Far North Queensland Coast from Double Island to Cape Grafton.

The master bedroom also opens out to the verandah and there is nothing like drifting off to sleep listening to the sound of the ocean.

We did manage to venture out for dinner and I must admit I find the Sebel Reef House restaurant difficult to beat. The location, food and service are spot on. Dining at the Reef House is a treat and I have never been disappointed.

Our last night at Island View we cooked a delicious seafood platter on the barbecue and watched the light dim, thinking how lucky are we..

There are many reasons to stay at Island View, the apartments certainly do boast quality and style but the most important reason to stay at Island View is just simply because…… you deserve it……

For more information please contact one of our local representatives at Palm Cove Apartments - email info@fnqapartments.com or phone 1300 731 620 (within aust) + 61 7 4053 3344 (internationally)

Regal Port Douglas - Free Night Specials

The Regal Port Douglas has just released it's Summer FREE Night specials --- Stay 7 Nights / Pay 5 Nights & Stay 4 Nights / Pay 3 Nights... Special rates are effective immediately and valid until the 31st March 2008 (Block out dates do apply over Xmas/New Years)! So apart from fantastic value for money why would you want to stay at the Regal Port Douglas... Here's why:

1. Location: Regal is on the corner of Macrossan & Owen Street, at the quieter beach end of Macrossan Street, out of earshot of the pubs and nightclubs, and a mere 5 min walk to restaurants, shops, beach & marina - excellent!

2. Private Balcony Jacuzzi's: There are shutters to pull across the balcony to ensure your privacy!

3. Private rooftop Honeymoon Apartments: the only ones in Port Douglas with huge rooftop courtyards, outdoor Jacuzzi, indoor spa bath, sun loungers, table & chairs, BBQ & shade sails - wow!

4. Spa baths: Our indoor spa baths are large enough for two people - yes!

5. The pool: Solar heated in winter - mmmm warm!

6. A transit lounge with free Internet: Ideal for those early arrivals and late departures - great!

7. Shower and toilets to use before rooms available and after checkout - thank goodness!!!

8. Apartment size: one bedroom apartments are huge - that's big!

9. Two bedroom apartments: Ours have 2 bathrooms, 2 TV's & videos, 2 fridges, tea & coffee making facilities & toaster in kitchenette and in second bedroom - don't have to see the other couple - til after breakfast!

10. Compendiums: Regal has the compendium in Italian and Japanese.

For more information please contact one of our local representatives at Port Douglas Apartments - email info@fnqapartments.com or phone 1300 731 620 (within aust) + 61 7 4053 3344 (internationally)

Seachange Trinity Beach

A word from the Manager of the Sea Change Trinity Beach

Good morning,

Here at Sea Change we are constantly working on ensuring that we remain competitive by offering our guests a five star experience. We pride ourselves on providing the best accommodation in the Cairns Region at very competitive rates. This is a quick email for you so you can update your website on our recent developments.

They are:

* Every apartment has been fully refurbished in 2006/07 in a very modern, contemporary feel- even though the building is only 6 years old. Have a look at our image gallery of our new look - http://www.seachange-beachfront-apartments.com/ImageGallery.htm. Note you won't find any hideous tropical bedspreads or lounges here !!

* Every main bedroom has a KING Bed.

* Every apartment has a 2nd TV in the main bedroom.

* Every apartment has a LCD TV in the lounge area.

* Every apartment's kitchen has additional appliances like blenders, electric frypans, electric woks, juicers, and coffee machines.

And, don't forget:

* We guarantee EVERY guest an ocean view apartment as ALL of our apartments face the ocean.

* EVERY apartment has a spa bath, two bathrooms, a fantastic kitchen with dishwasher, large fridges and Blanco appliances.

Thanks for your time in reading my email and I hope you can use the above information to increase your knowledge about our product and ensure your website reflects our latest developments.

Kind Regards,

Simon Batt
Manager

For more details information please contact the FNQ Apartments team on + 61 7 4053 3344 or 1300 731 620 (within Aust)... or info@fnqapartments.com ~ www.fnqapartments.com

Ocean Spirit Cruises

Ocean Spirit Cruise

A few years ago, I took my parents to the reef on board of Ocean Spirit Cruise. We had such a great time, that years later I decided to go again and take my 2 children with me. I decided to book on the Sail & Snorkel , which travels to the Oyster Reef and to Upolu Cay.

It was a beautiful, sunny day when we boarded the sailing boat. On the way out, the wind wasn’t strong enough so they used the engine to get us to the Oyster Reef quickly. But it was still at a reasonable speed, so it was comfortable enough to stay outside, without having our hats flying off in the wind. We spotted dolphins, to the great excitement of my children.

Oyster Reef is a fairly shallow reef, which I found ideal for swimmers and snorkellers who don’t feel too confident in the open waters. Justin took to it like a duck to water. Off he was snorkelling around, while Nina refused to get in, but was happy enough to watch everyone and everything around her.

Lunch was served, which was a delicious buffet consisting of seafood, chicken, salads etc. Afterwards, the crew called us the back of the boat to watch the fish feeding. It was an amazing spectacle! Just to think, that I was swimming there just 30 minutes ago....

Sometime in the afternoon we moved on to Upolu Cay. It is a naturally formed sand island. A small boat took us there and this was heaven for the kids, the water is crystal clear and shallow and my daughter was happy to do her snorkelling there.

All to soon it was time to get back on to Ocean Spirit Cruise. If you wanted to you could snorkel all the way back to the boat, or if you didn’t feel confident enough, you could travel on the small boat back.

The way back to Cairns was beautiful. The wind was strong enough, so we let the sails to the work, and one of the crewmembers started playing the guitar.

It was a great day and because they have a high staff ratio nothing is rushed and everyone is taking time to have a chat to you and explain everything you want to know. Ocean Spirit Cruise offers a great family day out. And for $99 per adult and $50 per child (4-14yrs) it is still an affordable reef trip! Ocean Spirit Cruises Cairns

Cairns Apartments Free Night Specials

Its that time of year again when a host of Free Night Specials are released... Stay 7 Nights Pay 6 Nights and Pay 6 and Stay 5 Nights Pay 4 Nights - and more... For an up to date list on all the latest Cairns apartment specials please bookmark the following page - Cairns Apartments Specials

TJAPUKAI BY NIGHT WITH CHRIS AND A FEW FRIENDS

A few weeks ago, a bunch of friends and myself decided to visit Tjapukai by Night. Despite living in Cairns for 10 years, I have never visited before!!!

By arrival, we were greeted by two Tjapukai dancers and a photo of us was taken without me even noticing...We walked into one of the halls and the show began before we knew it.....

An Aboriginal Elder explained to us about the Dreamtime, Thunder and Lightning and the Spirit World.

Then we were guided outside and handed tapsticks and asked to join the Tjapukai lakeside where we were to become part of an ancient corroboree ritual.

Everyone was participating and we all had a good laugh, as the dancers clearly enjoyed showing off...

On of the Tjapukai members hurls a fire spear across the lake, where it contacts with the ancient tribal lands to become a fireball... and, wow ... what a sight! A canoe appears out of nowhere, in it a Tjapukai carrying the flaming torches. The dancers guide the canoe and the people to its shore. We are asked to follow their light, which creates a pathway from the darkness of the lake to the restaurant.

The Buffet Dinner was absolutely sensational... especially the variety of desserts....Wine and beer is included as well.

While eating, the Tjapukai come on stage to perform again. This, - and this is the only critisism I have - I felt was a pity, because I wanted to enjoy dinner and enjoy the performance. Plus, people kept standing up to help themselves to more, which did interrupt the show.... (like someone standing up at the movies or at the theatre...)

But the dancing performance was superb, their wit and humour made me laugh so much. At the end, everyone finished their dinner and the dancers get the audience involved in a competition in making fire by rubbing sticks....

All in all, a very enjoyable way to spend a few hours at night. The show starts at 07.30pm, seven days a week and finishes at about 09.30pm - just in time for a cocktail or a drink at the bar, when you get back to Cairns... Tjapukai organises transfers from accommodation to their show and back.

All this for $87.00 per adult and $43.50 per child or if you need a transfer it will cost you $104.00 per adult and $52.00 per child.

There were a lot of children at the show and they all had a ball, so feel free to take your children, they will be fascinated by the lights and the music...

I can definitely recommend it to anyone... it is a good insight, without being to serious about it. Please contact me for more information chris@fnqapartments.com or call +61 7 4053 3344 (1300 731 620 within Australia) www.fnqapartments.com

Island View Apartments Palm Cove

Island View Apartments were officially opened in August 2007... Please check out the video and/or photo gallery on the following webpage -

Island View Apartments these are the latest addition in luxury 5 star beachfront apartments to hit Palm Cove...

For further information or reservations please contact an FNQ Apartments team member today! Email: info@fnqapartments.com or + 61 7 4053 3344 (inter) or 1300 731 620 (within Aust)

Catch a Barra - Barramundi Farm (Sean, Troy & Ethan)

Ahhhh... Fishing... I do love fishing... but what I love more than fishing - is catching fish. And this goes double when you are taking two young boys fishing with you... Late Monday afternoon we decided to chance our luck (well fishing at the farm we were quietly confident) and take the 30 minute drive south of Cairns to the Barramundi Farm in Little Mulgrave... We arrived at around 4:00pm and it wasn't long before the boys and I had our lines wet and amongst the fish...



At a cost of $33 per hour (which includes all gear) catching Barra seemed to be a great value for money way to spend an afternoon - and we were spot on. We used relatively light tackle and soft plastic lures and fished 2 of the 4 ponds on the farm. Barra ranging from 35cm up to 50+cm were literally jumping from the water in incredible shows of aerobatics, and desperation as the fought for their freedom...




We fished until the sun started to fold in behind the mountains. We released all we caught - there is the option to purchase the fish that you catch but we opted to let them live so that they could fight another day. I think the tally ended up Sean 7, Troy 2 & Ethan 3



Apart from some great fishing, as the sun sets the beauty of the ponds, the mountains and the valleys help you to really feel as though you've spent a great afternoon out on the farm, catching a few fish, with family and away from the daily grind.



For more information about the Catch a Barra afternoon please contact Troy

http://www.fnqapartments.com/ email: info@fnqapartments.com or PH: + 61 7 4053 3344.

Big Cat Green Island Cruises - Troy & Ethan

If I can start by saying that I have been to Green Island on no less than 4 occasions and on this visit the coral and marine life was by far the best I've ever seen it - the coral colourful and abundant, plentiful schools of colourful fish, really big fish, sea cucumbers, a shovel nose ray, giant clams... It was really, really cool!

15 knots and Fine... was the forecast! So Ethan and I jumped at the opportunity to hit the reef. We landed ourselves on Big Cat Green Island Cruises full day adventure which departed at 11:00am (they have another which departs at 9:00am and gives you another hour or so on the island)... But we opted for the sleep in and we still had 4 hours on the island... What a day...

When traveling with a 5 yo there are always the considerations of what is the best trip to do so that you both maximise the fun of the day... For us Green Island was it... Here's a bit of a running account of some of the highlights of the day.

Departing Cairns...



45 minutes on the Reef Rocket and we were there... Wow that was quick!



As soon as we arrived Big Cat had a huge smorgasboard lunch waiting for us so we eagerly tucked into the buffet which comprised of both hot and cold dishes... Yummy...

Now full and needing to settle our tummies, we hit the island where we found Marineland Malanesia (its a must do) it has something for everyone: Crocs - including Cassis a 5.5 metre croc, Huge Green Sea Turtles, Aquariums - yep they've got Nemo & Dory, Marine Artifacts, Primitive Tribal Art... At $12.50 per adult & $5.50 per child I highly recommend it... The map below shows you a rough layout!




So after browsing through a few of the shops on the island we figured it was time to strip down and put on the snorkelling gear... And when you're snorkelling with Ethan (Big Cat have flotation vests available for hire which I also recommend to help with buoyancy) being able to snorkel in off the beach was and incredible help. We worked our way in slowly and before long were snorkelling (a little timidly at times, but hey, we were in there)... Great coral and marine life with the security of the sand not too far away...

So with a successful snorkelling expedition under our belt we clambered onto the sand and lay on the sandy beach in the sun protected from the SE breeze which had sprung up.

Nice and warm we changed outfits and made our way out onto the jetty for our Glass Bottom Boat trip - wow it was incredible, Ethan was so excited to be so close to so many beautiful and incredible facets of the reef. The tour takes about 30 minutes includes expert commentary on the ecology, history and everything associated with the reef... There was also a fish feed which sent the fish into a frenzy, darting all about the boat... The glass bottom boat ride I highly recommend!



From the Glass Bottom Boat we boarded the Semi-Submersible Submarine and were now below the water sitting amongst the fish only metres from the reef, completely dry but gliding through the water. Surrounded by fish from blue to green, to purple... We saw turtles, shovel nosed rays, soft corals, hard corals, the water was truly alive... And come time for the fish feeding we were enveloped by them on both sides... A truly memorable experience! Again I highly recommend it.



Wow what a day... Time for the journey home, but not before ducking over to the island for an ice-cream and one last look... All in all Big Cat Green Island Cruises provide and exceptional family option for a day at the reef which I highly recommend. For more information check out http://www.fnqapartments.com/tours/1/3 , email the team on info@fnqapartments.com or call us on +61 7 4053 3344.